Welcome!

[Braxo]

Has anyone else used Coda or can they suggest other tools they use?

I think Coda is a great tool to use when creating static web sites. In the edit window, it truly is a "one-window" development, because you can view your HTML markup, your css file in a split pane, and the contents of the ftp or local fie structure.

For dynamic websites, I need a bit more. Like my terminal running, web browser, javascript/html/css. So I use textmate for that situation because it doesn't have the tool bar, etc.

[leugim]

I use TopStyle for css-editing. Before that I just used Dreamweaver in code-view and had to preview in all browsers. Then I got to work in a company where they allready had TopStyle it has a very satisfying autocompletion. In a way you could compare it with Firebug since it let's you edit your css and see live what changes, Topstyle has this functionality for Firefox AND IE, though.

[AJay17]

Not really a fan of dreamweaver

[jock]

I don't think there is much wrong in learning with Dreamweaver other than at €300 its a VERY expensive way of learning. I don't know why but a lot of people hate anything WYSIWYG when it comes to HTML authoring, maybe its ego? I've met and worked with a lot of people who think they are hardcore because they use notepad or vim.

I think the key to learning using WYSIWYG is understanding what is going on behind the scenes because sometimes they can get in a bit of a mess and put in unnecessary/incorrect mark up. I started using HoTMetaL which was great for because it gave you WYSIWYG and html tags in one. Nowadays I do very little HTML but if I do, I use the HTML editor in Zend Studio because its got auto-complete which saves time.

[m00min]

I don't know why but a lot of people hate anything WYSIWYG when it comes to HTML authoring, maybe its ego? I've met and worked with a lot of people who think they are hardcore because they use notepad or vim.

It's not ego (well mostly ) if you hand code it's easier to then figure out why things aren't working correctly in IE. If the page has been built with a WYSIWYG editor chances are there will be code in there that isn't needed. I used DW about three years ago and it made such a dogs breakfast in layout view it was worse than useless.

[jock]

I don't know why but a lot of people hate anything WYSIWYG when it comes to HTML authoring, maybe its ego? I've met and worked with a lot of people who think they are hardcore because they use notepad or vim.

It's not ego (well mostly ) if you hand code it's easier to then figure out why things aren't working correctly in IE. If the page has been built with a WYSIWYG editor chances are there will be code in there that isn't needed. I used DW about three years ago and it made such a dogs breakfast in layout view it was worse than useless.

I disagree, hand coding is hard to start out with, people can make simple mistakes like closing tags incorrectly that would be clearly highlighted in dreamweaver but may not be apparent to a beginner with limited knowledge of HTML. Tables are especially difficult for someone of limited knowledge to hand code.

Don't get me wrong its better to hand code if you can as you code will be so much cleaner and neater but when your not in the know then it must seem like a really difficult way of doing things where as you can just click some buttons and you see instant results.

[ferny]

I have to agree Jock, Dreamweaver is a good place to start and see quick results, but I am now learning HTML and CSS slow time. I don't think I would have had the patience to do that when I first started out 8 months ago.

[dallaswebdesign]

I love dreamweaver. I use a PC so we don't have those fancy cool code highlight tools like the Mac does. Dreamweaver helps me keep my site structure organized, upload, and code faster that I could in Notepad (granted the FTP tool in DW sucks, but it is included.). Dreamweaver has tons of tools that are useful, it's just a personal preference. Try it out and see if you like it, try a couple of others while you're at it. See which one you like the best.

I must say the best thing about DW is how fast I can switch between sites and do work so quickly across multiple sites. Just my two cents.

[Spekta]

For beginners, Dreamweaver is great. I myself never learnt on dreamweaver but many friends have. I've always used Notepad, which at first is much harder but you remember alot more and have alot more freedom i think. But the choice is ultimately yours.

[pandora]

Dreamweaver is great if you already know how to code from scratch - it's an awesome tool and like someone said before me, it has a lot of neat things hidden everywhere in the application. But I don't recommend it as a learning tool if you are just beginning to learn how to code. In order to use Dreamweaver effectively, you need a pretty strong foundation to begin with.

[ajcates]

I used to use Coda until I sat down and learned how to use TextMate(best editor ever). If you only use the code window in Dreamweaver I would suggest checking out the TextMate, CSSEdit and Transmit combo.

[SL51]

Try Kompozer, http://kompozer.net (free)
Windows/Mac/Linux

Wysiwyg or code. Auto-completion. (X)HTML, CSS builder. Validation. A very good way to learn as it generates good clean code.

Worth a long look if you are new to web design.

[ferny]

Thanks SL51, I will take at look at Kompozer.

[strabley]

Not one callout for Aptana? I migrated from dreamweaver to aptana which offeres a free environment.

Dreamweaver hasn't done anything new or creative to keep me a user anymore.

[mindtrix]

Check out these books,

CSS Mastery
The essential guide to CSS and HTML

Both from friends of ED.

Also check out http://www.sitepoint.com as they have great resources.

The first thing you should research is a term called Semantic Markup.

Once you get the hang of using proper HTML markup then understanding CSS becomes a little bit easier.

Do a search on google for ebooks. There are alot out there.